Black, Doris Yvonne (Halpenny)

Doris Yvonne (Halpenny) Black was born on June 25, 1931. She was the oldest of two daughters born to Thomas and Esther Halpenny of Bulwark. Her grandparents, Rev. Emil (Sr.) and Mary Polege, lived across the road as well as her Uncle Emil and Aunt Ruth Polege and their children, Raymond and Joyce. She attended Minot School.
Doris enjoyed working on the farm with her father while her younger sister, Beverley, worked with their mother in the house. Doris always had a love of gardening and animals.
Doris’ Uncle Walter Polege married Rose Black and through them she met Rose’s brother Reg. Reg and Doris were married on June 30, 1959. They took over farming the Black family homestead in the Fairfield district and they raised three sons: Norman, Ken and Derold.
They were active in the Fairfield Baptist Church with Doris attending Mission Circle, the Quilting Group and Wednesday night Prayer Meetings. Doris was also a 4-H leader and they were both members of the New Dawn Seniors’ Club in Brownfield.
Doris was famous for her made from scratch Angel Food cakes which she baked by the dozen, selling them at the Castor Farmers’ Market along with garden produce and other baking.
Doris was hardworking, quiet, kind, patient and gentle. She quietly lived out her faith and showed it by her actions more than her words. She loved to take care of her family and, no matter who you were, if you were at her home at a meal time, she fed you! Many of the extended family enjoyed spending time on the farm with Reg and Doris.
Doris really enjoyed when the grandchildren started to arrive: Colton, Logan, Tanner, Michael, Wade, and then, finally, a girl, Yvonne!! Her happiest moments were when her family was around her.
Reg and Doris lived on the family farm until they moved to the Paintearth Lodge in Castor in 2010. In 2012, Reg passed away. Early the following year Doris moved into Extendicare at Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital in Castor, where she resided until her passing. Doris won the hearts of all those around her with her pleasant, gentle nature.
Doris is survived by her three sons: Norman (Darolyn), Ken, and Derold (Maureen); and her six grandchildren Colton, Tanner, Michael, Logan, Wade and Yvonne. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law, Orale Peterson and Ross (Karin) McCracken, her sister-in-law, Mary Black, and many nephews and nieces.
She was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Esther Halpenny; her sister, Beverley Thacker Peterson; and her husband, Reg Black.
Card of Thanks
The family would like to thank the staff at Castor Extendicare, the Paintearth Lodge, and Castor and Coronation Home Care for their dedicated care for Doris and her family.
The funeral service for Doris was held at the Brownfield Recreation Centre, on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at 2 p.m. with the Pastor Al Richardson and Pastor Ron Harris officiating.
The eulogy was shared by Norman and Darolyn Black and the scripture readings were read by grandchildren, Yvonne, Wade, Tanner and Colton Black.
Barbie Berg and Margaret Evans played for the congregational hymns ‘In the Garden’ and ‘Shall We Gather at the River with leader of song Philip Wilson. Special music was by the Eberl Family and also a piano selection by Maureen Black.
Active pallbearers were Colton Black, Tanner Black, Michael Black, Wade Black, Ernest Polege and Dwayne McCracken. The interment took place at the Fairfield Cemetery at 11 a.m.
Following the funeral service, family and friends gathered at the Rec Centre for a time of visiting and reminiscing. A lovely lunch was prepared and served by the Brownfield Baptist Church Ladies and the community.
As an expression of sympathy and in loving memory of Doris, memorial contributions may be made to the Paintearth Lodge, Box 209, Castor, AB, T0C 0X0 or to Our Lady of the Rosary Extended Care, Box 329, Castor, AB, T0C 0X0. Heather Caseley of Coronation Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. 403.578.2928 Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.coronationfuneralhome.ca.